Community Organizing Certificate Program
| "We are poor. Our allies are few.
But we . . . have our bodies and spirits and the justice of our cause as our weapons."
-- Cesar Chavez |
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The Undergraduate Certificate Program in Community Organizing gives students an opportunity to gain a practical, historical, and theoretical understanding of strategies for promoting social change through collective action
. Students gain skills relevant to a wide range of professions, including: - Community Organizers
- Youth and Social Workers
- Politicians
- Community Researchers
- Non-Profit Administrators
The program focuses on urban areas of the United States. Students may also develop their own issue-areas, such as international, environmental, or union organizing.
Who May Participate? - Students seeking an undergraduate degree at UWM receive the certificate upon completion of their degree.
- Students who already have an undergraduate degree receive the certificate upon completion of the program requirements.
- Students without a bachelors degree receive a certificate from the UWM School of Continuing Education after completing requirements.
External Training Program Participation in a community organizing training program provided by an external group allows students to meet a diverse range of community organizers from different contexts across the United States.
Currently, the Midwest Academy 5-day training program is the only approved program. To learn more about the Midwest Academy,
click here.
Topics covered include: - Understanding power relations
- Building coalitions
- Holding government officials accountable
- Working with the media
Students who wish to enroll (or have enrolled) in programs offered by other groups, including unions, environmental organizations, and others, may petition to the Program Committee for approval.
Due to additional costs incurred in obtaining this certificate, you may be eligible for financial aid. For more information, please call the UWM Financial Aid Office at (414) 229-4541. Program Components (21 credits)1. Required Introductory Course
ED POL 111, Introduction to Community Organizing (3 credits)
2. Required External Practical Training Course
ED POL 508, Problems of Change in Community Organizations (3 credits)
(Contact the Program Committee to obtain approval before attending any program to ensure credit.) Students also write a critical paper.
3. Historical Perspectives on Organizing, Inequality, and Social Change (3 credits)
4. Practical and Foundations Electives Courses (9 credits total)
5. Required Capstone Internship/Seminar in Community Organizing
ED POL 442, Intermediate Community Education Practice (3 credits)
- Intern with a community organization (100 hours min.).
- Meet for bi-weekly discussions.
For a course listing, click here.
For requirements contact Dr. Aaron Schutz: (414) 229-4150 or
Schutz@uwm.edu Students may begin the program by enrolling in ED POL 111. No separate application is required.
Want to see what courses are offered during the upcoming semester? Check out the
Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date information on UWM courses!
